Moral support needed: scared, paranoid, excited, stressed...etcetc

[Fish_Lady]

Good luck in your bike shopping! In Maine I found that each bike shop I went into was easy to deal with and treated me like any other customer. Here in OK, it's been more of a hit or miss. Thankfully though, I finally found a fabulous bike shop.

[Softie]

I'm happy to say the bike shopping experience wasn't nearly as bad as I feared (or it could have been). I went to two bike shops and even tried bikes at both. My boyfriend came along for support and encouragement, which really helped too (and I don't look that big when I'm standing next to a 6'7 350+ lb football player).

Going in with a lot of information about what I wanted and needed really helped (thanks to all here and other info I read online) so I knew I beforehand that the bikes I was looking at were appropriate for my size, good quality, and suitable for my needs. The employees at both were helpful, nice, older men (which probably made me more comfortable than if it were the cute young very fit guys). I also found, as I suspected from my readings online a women's design would be a bad fit for me.

Now for the next challenges getting in shape, my butt used to this, and comfortable on the unfortunately busy streets with no shoulders or bike lanes in my area. I'm hoping that will come pretty fast so I can really enjoy the full benefits of having a bike soon

thanks again all

[badgercat]

So wait, you bought a bike?? What did you get? Post pictures!

[Softie]

Haha yes I did It's a Trek 7.3fx, which I'm sure many people here may be familiar with (as they suggested it ), also the first non-mountain bike I've owned since my 10-speed at age 10 probably! I had also tried a Specialized, and looked at Marin's as well, but felt pretty at home as soon as I hopped on this (and confident it would handle me just fine). I think it will be perfect my needs of exercising and getting around town on something that is pretty quick, reliable, and in my price range. Well...maybe not quick yet, but one day I hope to give it a run for it's money, so to speak. I'm full of giddy feelings about my bike and biking all the time now.

Even though I've biked as a child, and to college and work a fair bit a few years ago this is the first time I've really had a sense of a really strong connection to biking...if that makes sense. When we're young they're so much a part of our lives that we may not have thought about them a lot, besides the feelings of fun and freedom it gave us, and buying a bike new from an actual bike shop after research and thinking about all these bike related factors, and the idea of having that freedom and fun again on my own two wheels is a feeling I'm not sure I've had before, and I like it! I hope I'll get in shape again pretty quick and used to the busy streets so I can really get out there and both enjoy and take advantage of it.

[badgercat]

woohoo! Welcome to the FX club. I'm glad you're so excited about your new ride. May you have many, many happy and safe miles together!

[Grog]

Awesome!

Now go for a ride!

[Softie]

Awesome!

Now go for a ride!

Every day so far! They're small ones so far, but I tell myself I'm building up to bigger and better (and further) things.

[wackyjacky1]

Welcome to the FX club.

Yeah, welcome to the club! (There is a secret handshake, but only Zen knows it. )

Congrats on your new bike, and may you have many happy miles on it.

[Zen]

I wonder how many FX owners there are on this forum?

[Grog]

Me. Two in my lifetime.

[txred9876]

Every day so far! They're small ones so far, but I tell myself I'm building up to bigger and better (and further) things.

I am almost shocked at how far I have come in just 9 short weeks..... its amazing....welcome to the club!!

Tina

[sundial]

Softie--YAY!! You have a Trek FX! Yippeeee!!!

[Softie]

Softie--YAY!! You have a Trek FX! Yippeeee!!!

I think the same thing every time I look at it!